By Dyana Carmella

While at the American Film Market (AFM) in Santa Monica, I attended a seminar titled “New Technologies and Low Budget Films” presented by the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). Emmy winner George Spiro Dibie moderated the event and demonstrated a humorous side to shooting Independent Films.

It was an all-star panel with ASC cinematographers including Stephen Lighthill, Daniel Pearl, Richard Crudo, Isidore Mankofsky, Richard Kline, Steven Fierberg, Rodney Taylor, Michael Goi, Dante Spinotti, Ron Garcia, and Daryn Okada President of ASC. The floor was open for questions as new emerging cinematographers and filmmakers asked these experts compelling questions about filmmaking.

At this informative seminar, the ASC cinematographers alluded to the fact that if you have a good cinematographer, they are going to be your biggest asset and you’re going to get a good picture no matter what style you film in.

Steven Fierberg mentioned that you must always test your equipment to make sure it doesn’t scratch. He said that with independents there are so many last minute factors that occur day to day that you want your equipment to be something you don’t have to worry about. He also mentioned that it’s necessary to “make sure post is comfortable with the format and what you’re shooting on.”

Daryn Okada pointed out that everything from the lens back is going to capture everything from the lens forward and it’s critical that you have an idea of what you want your finished result to look like. He mentioned that your project has to make it to a screen or everything you put into it doesn’t matter.

Stephen Lighthill said that its important that you find a method and equipment that you feel comfortable with before you explore new equipment. He went on to say “with every new camera there’s always a price to pay. All new cameras have a shake out period.” For example, he learned while filming in extreme weather just how far you could push your camera to work in certain conditions and the importance of educating yourself while preparing for a shoot.

They also stressed that it’s all about discipline. Thoe behind the camera ¾ not just the actors ¾ should be as prepared as possible.

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